University of Arizona social psychology professor, whose seminal paper on terror management theory is required reading in graduate social psychology courses, contacted Ehrenfels to, among other things, express agreement for Ehrenfels application of terror management theory to the administration of graduate training programs.

Wyatt Ehrenfels argued that psychology professors stoke the fears of graduate students (and continually appeal to these stoked fears) to compel graduate students to adjust to political and professional training requirements. Greenberg and serial co-author, Sheldon Solomon of Skidmore College, had published research supporting their claims that President George W. Bush stoked fears of terrorism to repair image problems during his re-election campaign (and pressure voters to support his Iraq policies).